Another day at the office - Not!

Klaus-Jürgen Heer of DK Yachts assesses the task of the builder when confronted with the construction of Juan Kouyoumdjian's 'unusual' new 35 metre design for Frank Pong

Constructing the Maiden

Being asked to construct a 115' speed machine, the first thought is 'Of course I want to' - without any doubts. The response of DK Yachts, on being approached by well-known Hong Kong sailor, Frank Pong, looking for a yard to build just such a yacht was no different.

But if you want to do such a job you have to be serious, which means that enthusiasm must be replaced by questions such as, 'Can we really do it?' or, 'What is our competitive edge?' It was only upon emerging from debating these questions that the concept of how to construct this slender but highly loaded 35m carbon structure began to evolve, before meaningful discussions could take place with the owner and the designer, Juan Kouyoumdjian

To read this article in full, please go to the APRIL 2002 issue of Seahorse International Sailing.

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